Posted on 11 Apr 2019
The fall in Iranian billet exports eased in the month through 19 February, but the country's slab export decline accelerated further. The growth in finished product exports also weakened slightly.
11-month billet exports fell -13% on-year, versus -15% after ten months, to 2.93 million tonnes, while billet exports dropped -42% – versus -39% – to 1.55mt. This is according to Iranian Steel Producers’ Association (ISPA) data monitored by Kallanish.
11-month finished product exports surged 90%, versus 102.5% after ten months, to 2.61mt.
This was driven by a 193% surge in rebar exports – versus 202% – to 1.44mt. Moreover, cold rolled coil exports jumped 118% – versus 220% – to 37,000t, and coated coil shipments abroad rose 177% – versus 194% – to 158,000t. Hot rolled coil exports, however, fell -3% to 567,000t, following 12% growth after ten months.
Direct reduced iron exports fell -21% – versus -11% – to 507,000t.
11-month apparent finished steel consumption, meanwhile, fell -5% – easing from -6% – to 17.95mt. HRC use fell -4% – versus -6% – to 7.06mt, but rebar use rose 8% – versus 5% – to 5.71mt. CRC consumption dropped -7% – versus -8% – to 2.56mt, and coated coil maintained its -21% drop, to 1.34mt.
DRI consumption rose 20% – versus 19% – to 23.8mt.
Iranian 11-month finished steel imports were down -54% to 962,000t, with HRC and CRC comprising 350,000t and 261,000t respectively. Production rose 8% to 19.6mt.
